Well, howdy there internet people, it's Miss Bowe again. So today we're going to talk about Russia, the US,

exchanges, Trump, Biden, and the realities of actual foreign policy work.

The big international news today is of course the exchange that is reportedly underway between the United States and Russia.

National coverage is focused on two of the Americans coming home because of the massive political implications.

But the rumor mill says that if all parts of this multi-part deal go according to plan.

This will be the largest prisoner swap brokered

between DC and Moscow since the end of the Cold War.

Turkish Intelligence is reported to have played a role as a mediator and at time of recording

the deal is said to include more than 20 people and at least seven countries which are believed to be the U.S. Russia,

Belarus, Poland, Germany, Norway, and Slovenia.

It is a product of months of dedication and most importantly quiet behind the scenes negotiation.

Coverage in the US is primarily focused on Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gerskovich and former Marine Paul

Wielen, both of whom have been sentenced to 16 years by Russia. The deal should

clearly demonstrate the complicated nature of that international poker game where everybody is cheating.

The overriding theme for months in the sensational news coverage has been that the US and Russia are on the verge of starting a war at any moment.

The complicated and multi-part deal suggests conversations between diplomats at a very high level have been proceeding, even

while tensions might be elevated.

The willingness of Russia to participate is probably an attempt to send a signal to the US that Russia

can be negotiated with in good faith in hopes that might encourage negotiations

about other issues. For the Biden administration, the

successful completion of the deal will be a foreign policy legacy, a centerpiece

for the diplomats and professionals behind the deal, it will be a career

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